Allen Gisclair
August 27, 2007Deantae’ Rhines
August 29, 2007
Amy Hebert was transported by ambulance to the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women in St. Gabriel Friday.
The Mathews mother allegedly stabbed her son Braxton and daughter Camille, ages 7 and 9, to death then tried to commit suicide on Aug. 20.
Authorities found her in her bed, under the covers, with the deceased children, who were dressed in their pajamas. Kitchen knives littered the bedroom area and the family dog had been slain, too.
“(The St. Gabriel Prison has) the facilities and the equipment available to care for her. And we have a very overcrowded, antiquated jail in Lafourche Parish,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Larry Weidel. “Not only does she require medical attention and facilities, (Hebert) also requires an isolation type situation at this time. And we couldn’t provide that.”
Hebert was first transferred to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux for booking and then brought to the St. Gabriel facility.
She had been kept in isolation in the intensive-care unit at the Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital.
The doctors overseeing her care at the St. Anne said her condition was stable enough for her to be moved to another location.
“This facility (LCIW) is part of the Department of Corrections and has the space and medical equipment necessary to house a female prisoner with medical needs,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. “It is located near Baton Rouge.”
The sheriff’s office did not indicate how long this arrangement with the St. Gabriel facility would last.
Earlier in the week, State District Judge Walter I. Lanier III read Hebert the charges against her while she lay in her hospital bed in the intensive-care unit at Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital.
Hebert was booked on two counts of first-degree murder.
When she was advised of her Miranda rights, she requested a lawyer. As such, authorities in Lafourche have not questioned her.
“When you’re advised of your rights and you say you have the right to a lawyer. She indicated that’s what she wanted. And so, you actually stop questioning at that point or you don’t start,” said Weidel.
The judge set her bond at $1 million and scheduled her arraignment for Sept. 21.
The motivation for the murder still remains a mystery.
“It seemed to be totally out of character. I guess people can snap,” said Weidel. “As time goes by maybe there will be some answers. But, it may take a while for that.”
Webre said Hebert saw a priest, while at St. Anne.
The children’s funeral was held at St. Hilary of Poitiers Catholic Church in Mathews last Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
